Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
L ynne waited for the crew assigned to transport her trailer and animals. She worked closely with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation to obtain and file the necessary paperwork. There was a barn on the property she’d found, and a small house that needed a ton of work before she could move in. It was cheap. To her astonishment, the local vet gave her a temporary position after their meeting until she could set up her own clinic. The combination of her salary and the conservatory grant would allow her to manage financially.
She’d spent the last week cleaning and sanitizing the barn. The stalls were ready for her friends. A few fenced-in pastures provided grazing areas for the animals. The trailer had electricity, but the house alone had plumbing. It didn’t make sense to go to the expense to have water in her trailer.
Reilly had gone over every contract before she signed them. Leaving him was going to be difficult. In the six weeks since her revelation, they had become closer. They deepened their friendship while respecting each other's need for space. It was such a relief and surprise to know he didn’t send his mother to break up with her. It made a huge difference, yet it wasn’t the difference she’d imagined. Their lives were different now. Reilly was going back to Billings. And she would have no reason to come back to Tyrone.
He said he'd call often, but she was skeptical. They’d probably talk every few days, then only once a week until they someday only spoke on the holidays. Her heart never stopped hurting. Her love for him might fade someday.
The honking of a truck had her running out of the barn. Everything was ready to go. The horse trailer was filled. The plan was to follow the trucks on her motorcycle. A mix of relief and sorrow washed over her as she donned her helmet.
Reilly drove up next to her. She had hoped to avoid saying goodbye.
“I’m glad I caught you,” he said. His smile was strained and unconvincing.
She removed her helmet. “Me too. I can’t stay long. I’m following the trucks to my new home. I’ve dreaded this moment. I wish I could say we’d get together soon, but it wouldn’t be true.”
He nodded. “I’m going to miss you. I’m even going to miss your menagerie of animals. Take care of yourself and don't hesitate to call if you need anything.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’m just going to say see ya.” She stepped close to him and he wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her neck and then her cheek before letting go.
“See ya,” he whispered.
His heart cried out for her, but there was not one thing he could do to change their circumstances. Proclaiming his love for her wouldn’t have been fair. She had a chance to do what she always wanted, and he loved her too much to stand in her way.
He stood there long after she left. He was completely lost and didn't know what to do. He planned to go back to Billings, but frankly, he had no desire to do so. Stewart’s suggestion was to work the ranch. Get back on a horse.
In truth, his relatives had given him a cold reception when he began his legal studies. Perhaps Stewart was right; maybe working the ranch would be a positive change.
The empty space where the trailer had been hit him hard. Rubbing the back of his neck, he went inside where he wouldn’t have to look at it.
The next day he found his cowboy clothes at Stewart’s. Not everything fit. When he’d left, he’d been a boy, but now he was too broad-shouldered to fit into the shirts.
“You’re trying to get out of riding. You probably forgot how,” Stewart teased.
“Can I borrow some of your clothes? I’ll get my own after work. The Daily Provisions still sells clothing, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it does. Take anything you want from my closet. I’m looking for bulls online. There’s an auction coming up, and I’d like to replace Thor.”
“Having all the information in front of you must make it easier than it used to be,” Reilly commented.
Stewart smiled. “Still the same lies that were in the brochures. The pictures help, though I’ve found them to be wrong too.”
“Thanks for the clothes.” Reilly took what apparel he needed, reminded that he still had to look into Thor’s death.
“Well, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” Bernie, the longtime cowhand, said.
“It’s been a while. How’s it going?”
“It’s going. I don’t ride as much as I used to. My knee acts up at times.”
“You hurt your knee rodeoing, didn’t you?” Reilly asked.
“Yes, when I won the all around in 1988. Don’t think I’m shirking.”
Reilly laughed. “Never. You’d do all the work yourself if we let you.”
He saddled up his horse, Law, and rode toward the cowboys in the distance. They were separating the females from the males. What type of greeting would he receive? He wasn’t in the mood.
His cousin Cassidy rode out to meet him. He was smiling, a good sign.
“Good to see you. You’ve been missed. Come on, let’s see if you can still, cowboy.”
Reilly laughed and followed Cassidy to the herd. It took a few minutes, but soon enough he was riding as though he had never left. The camaraderie was a balm to him. There was something about the great outdoors, with the mountains and blue sky, that had a positive aspect.
It was a long day in the saddle, chasing cattle that refused to cooperate. He even had to rope a few, and his rope skills were still good.
It wasn’t until he got off Law that he felt it. His muscles protesting his action with pain. He should have eased into it, but like everything else in his life, he’d jumped in with both feet.
Stewart came out and handed him a tube of Bengay. “You might need this,” he joked.
“Oh, boy, I’m going to smell like an old man. Well, if it helps, it helps.” He winced as he walked toward his car. “I’ll grab my clothes and bring these back in a few days.”
“You mean you won’t be here tomorrow?”
“Stewart, you were always a brat.” He smiled and then groaned as he eased himself into his car.